War of Words

Watching Whiteside struggle on the court as the points kept piling up, Spo reluctantly called a timeout.

"Listen, we need to change our strategy. Don't spread out so wide anymore. Double-team Westbrook, and West handles Chris Chen. Everyone else collapses as usual. We can leave Grant open and improve our rim protection. And Hassan, don't jump so easily. Stay on Domantas and give him some contact. That'll be enough! I'll say it again! Don't jump! Stop thinking about your damn blocks!"

With insufficient defensive resources, Spo could only choose between two cups of poison and hope this one would not kill him.

While Spo was drawing up his adjustments, Donovan was not idle either. Westbrook's regular rotation break was coming up, so he chose to have Oladipo handle the ball, brought Morrow in at shooting guard, moved Chen Xi to the three, and set up several high pick-and-roll plays while maintaining the five-out offense.

The Thunder had plenty of guards, but few who could offer real tactical value. Morrow and the others differed from Chen Xi. Being able to shoot threes and being able to run three-point actions were two different things. A shooter who could not provide tactical value was not much different from a non-spacing option.

Chen Xi's excellent off-ball movement and accurate catch-and-shoot ability fit the team's system far better than the other shooters. By comparison, Payne and the others were more accustomed to shooting off the dribble, but unfortunately, their efficiency with the ball was far below that of Westbrook and Odie.

"The game is underway again. Let's see what adjustments the coaches on both sides have made."

After Chen Xi returned to the court, he clearly felt Spo's affection. West had obviously come with an assignment, sticking tightly to him off the ball. The occasional subtle jersey tug also greatly disrupted his movement.

Fortunately, he was soon subbed out, and second-year player Josh Richardson, who replaced him, quickly exposed his lack of defensive experience.

Chen Xi deliberately made several cuts right in front of the sideline referee, immediately drawing an off-ball foul from Richardson. After doing that twice more, Richardson no longer dared to crowd him so closely.

The looser whistle immediately freed Chen Xi. By the time he left the court with seven minutes remaining in the second quarter, he had already hit six three-pointers.

Spo was equally helpless. The difficult part was not Chen Xi's three-point shooting itself, but the spacing value he created, allowing Westbrook and Oladipo to easily tear through the Heat's perimeter defense.

Once Chen Xi left the floor, the Thunder immediately reverted to that transition team built around defense and fast breaks.

When Westbrook could perfectly fit both tactical approaches and switch between them effortlessly at any time, the Thunder could boast offensive efficiency among the League's top tier. When the final buzzer sounded, the Thunder finished the game with a 110-87 victory, claiming their second straight win.

"Six wins and one loss! The incredible Oklahoma Thunder! Who could have imagined that after losing Kevin Durant for nothing over the summer, they could still put up this kind of record?"

"We have to admit that Westbrook has truly launched a challenge for the title of the League's best guard. The Thunder Team, led by a single star, have matched the Golden State Warriors for Western Conference first! It's unbelievable!"

The Thunder's unexpectedly outstanding record brought a flood of praise online. Of course, where there was praise, there was also criticism.

"Don't make me laugh. What do the Thunder have that compares to the Warriors? That Westbrook who even guards his own teammates? After all these years, have you still not seen what a cancer he is?"

"How many of those six wins in seven games came against top League teams? In their only direct matchup with the Warriors, they got blown out in two quarters. I really don't know what those people are bragging about."

"Are you referring to the Golden State Warriors who defected to form a superteam?"

"Are you referring to the Warriors who won 73 games and finished as runners-up?"

"Are haters unhappy with their lives?"

"Didn't James set the precedent for forming superteams?"

"Are you talking about the James who said he would bring seven championships to the Heat?"

"James has three FMVPs. What does Curry have?"

"FMVP won by scoring eight points to seize power?"

"Kobe didn't win Finals MVP for his first three championships either."

"Are you talking about the Kobe who could not win without an elite big man?"

"Still better than certain superteam dogs."

"When it comes to forming superteams, who could beat Kobe? Have you forgotten the 2004 F4 and 2012 F4? He formed superteams and still could not win a championship. What a joke."

"Seriously, the tiniest spark immediately turns into a war. Isn't the atmosphere on foreign social media just as bad?" Chen Xi lay on a bench press bench in the training room, scrolling through social media during his break.

"Don't pay attention to online voices. That's my advice, Chris. I've seen too many people whose form was affected by outside opinions," the trainer beside him quietly reminded him.

"Is the person you're talking about named Kevin?" The troublemaker had logged on.

"Uh... him too. He might be more easily influenced than most." The trainer rolled his eyes at Chen Xi. After that signing, Kevin Durant's name had briefly become taboo in the Thunder locker room.

"Hehe, what are you afraid of? It's just the two of us here, and I'm new this year. I've got connections!"

"But what people say online is not entirely unreasonable. We really haven't faced many strong teams. Other than the Warriors, there have only been the Clippers."

"We're playing the Raptors tomorrow. They're not a weak team, so you'd better be prepared."

"What am I afraid of? I'm just a minor role player. The game won't be decided by me." Chen Xi continued grinning at his phone.

"Don't let Russell hear you say that, or you'll be in trouble."

"Him?! I'd be afraid of him?!! A mere Russell? I could take him down with a flip of my hand!"

"Enough clowning around. Time's up. Continue with the next set."

"Oh... damn! Why does a disgusting exercise like bench pressing even exist?!"

Chen Xi's smug expression was immediately replaced by agony. Switching faces cost no beans, guaranteed.

November 10 arrived, and the Thunder hosted the visiting Toronto Raptors.

The Raptors had played three consecutive Game 7s in last season's Playoffs, only to lose regretfully to the Cavaliers led by LeBron James and fall short in the Eastern Conference Finals. With little change to their roster this year, the Trash Brothers returned to the fray, once again charging toward the Playoffs and swearing revenge against James.

There was no doubt that this was a strong team, and one centered around perimeter players at that. It was time to test the Thunder's true strength!

The team's Star Player, DeMar DeRozan, had once been called the last glory of the classic shooting guard after Kobe's retirement.

Low-post footwork, back-to-the-basket isolation, turnaround jumpers—in the 2016 NBA, an era dominated by small forwards, it was difficult to find another shooting guard this "traditional."